Festivals & events in Los Angeles

Besides Pilot Season, Première Season, Sweeps Season, Awards Season and Allergy Season, LA finds a reason to whoop it up all year round, with unusual parades, cultural celebrations, sporting events and fun-filled fiestas.

In spring the Academy Awards are like LA's own Christmas, but there's a bunch of other prize-giving bonanzas going on at other times of year. Summer in LA means sun, surf and the Sunset Junction Street Fair. As the lobsters come in for an autumnal feast (Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival), people are also getting psyched for the Hallowe'en Carnival. Winter means twinkling parades of lights, the most glorious of which has to be the Hollywood Christmas Parade.

In between the huge crowd-pullers are less overhwelming family-friendly parties, such as the quirky Blessing of the Animals and the gentle, low-key cultural celebrations, such as the prettty Lotus Festival in Echo Park.

Information & prices

For event listings when you’re in town, try www.flavorpill.com, the calendar at www.laweekly.com and the LA Times’ www.calendarlive.com. Most street parades and carnivals are free to watch and participate in, but you will probably have to pay for refreshments, and for admission to sports and music events.

Critic's choice

Los Angeles Marathon

Where: starts at Lankershim & Cahuenga Boulevards, Universal City; finishes at S 5th & W Flower Streets, Downtown
When: 1st Sun in Mar
Tel & website: 1-310 444 5544/www.lamarathon.com
Every year, more than 23,000 runners and wheelchair racers take to the streets for this 26-mile slog through the city. But it’s not a typical marathon: this being LA, the route is dotted with 1,000 cheerleaders, and neighbourhoods from Boyle Heights to Downtown celebrate with street performances.

LA Gay Pride

Where: around Santa Monica Boulevard
When: mid June
Website: www.lapride.org
One of the biggest pride events in the US, LA Gay Pride attracts as many as 400,000 people during its two-day festival and famous three-hour Sunday parade. The atmosphere is good-natured, raucous and local colour is provided by divas, drag starlets and DJs.

Sunset Junction Street Fair

Where: 3900-4300 blocks of Sunset Boulevard & around, Silver Lake
When: late Aug
Tel & website: 1-323 661 7771/www.sunsetjunction.org
This historic annual street festival unites the diverse populations of hipsters and immigrants who live in Silver Lake. Despite the recent imposition of an entry fee, the festival’s cultural grab-bag of music, food and people-watching attracts more than 200,000 visitors.

Halloween

Where: across Los Angeles
When: 31 Oct
The main action is at the West Hollywood Halloween Carnival, held on Santa Monica Boulevard between La Cienega Boulevard and Doheny Drive (www.weho.org). More than 400,000 rowdy revellers are entertained by DJs, bands, costume contests, drag queen competitions and the crowning of the celebrity Honorary Mayor.

Hollywood Christmas Parade

Where: parade starts at Mann’s Chinese Theatre, travels east on Hollywood Boulevard, south on Van Ness Avenue, then east on Sunset Boulevard
When: sun after Thanksgiving
Tel & website: 1-323 469 2337/www.hollywoodchristmas.com
The event that inspired Gene Autry to write ‘Here Comes Santa Claus’ is a glitzy, star-studded presentation that attracts a million fans. First held in 1928, the parade features elaborate floats, pop stars galore, celebs riding in antique cars, camels, equestrian shows and marching bands giving it the full razzle-dazzle. Even with reserved bleacher seats, early arrival is a must, and parking hideous.

Tournament of Roses Parade

Where: parade starts in Pasadena at S Orange Grove Boulevard & Ellis Street, travels east on Colorado Boulevard and north on Sierra Madre Boulevard, ends at Paloma Street
When: 1 Jan
Tel & website: 1-626 449 4100/www.tournamentofroses.com
The first Rose Parade in 1890 was staged to show off California’s sun-kissed climate. The tradition is still going strong, complete with elaborate floral floats, musical performances and marching troupes (not to mention the crowning of the fresh-faced Rose Queen and her court), but the celebration now draws more than a million spectators who line the streets of Pasadena. The big Rose Bowl football game follows the parade. Later in the month, the event is spoofed with a day of costumed mayhem at the Doo Dah Parade (1-626 205 4029, www.pasadenadoodahparade.info).

Spring

Academy Awards

Where: Kodak Theatre, Hollywood & Highland, 6801 Hollywood Boulevard at N Highland Avenue
When: late February
Tel & website: 1-323 308 6300/www.kodaktheatre.com
Oscar day is like Christmas in LA. The ceremony is held on a Sunday and fans queue for days to get places in the stands overlooking the red carpet.

Los Angeles Marathon

Where: starts at Lankershim & Cahuenga Boulevards, Universal City; finishes at S 5th & W Flower Streets, Downtown
When: 1st Sun in Mar
Tel & website: 1-310 444 5544/www.lamarathon.com
Every year, more than 23,000 runners and wheelchair racers take to the streets for this 26-mile slog through the city. But it’s not a typical marathon: this being LA, the route is dotted with 1,000 cheerleaders, and neighbourhoods from Boyle Heights to Downtown celebrate with street performances.

Blessing of the Animals

Where: El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, Olvera Street, between US 101 & E César E Chávez Avenue, Downtown
When: sat before Easter
Website: www.olvera-street.com
Led by a cow festooned with flowers, this procession of farm animals and pets (with their owners), winds its way down LA’s oldest street, where each animal is blessed with holy water.

Long Beach Grand Prix

Where: Downtown Long Beach 2600
When: mid Apr
Tel & website: 1-888 827 7333/1-562 981/www.longbeachgp.com
Nicknamed the ‘Southern California Official Spring Brake’, this high-speed extravaganza features the cars and stars of the CART Champ Car World Series. The two-mile street circuit includes plenty of straights and curves; spectators should expect to spend the afternoon biting their nails.

LA Times Festival of Books

Where: UCLA campus, Westwood Boulevard & Le Conte Avenue, Westwood
When: late Apr
Tel & website: 1-213 237 7335/www.latimes.com/fob
More than 100,000 people flock to the UCLA campus each spring to commune with authors giving readings and doing signings. Alongside the talks and discussions, a variety of booksellers set up stalls so that they can hawk their wares directly to the public.

Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival

Where: Melody Ranch & Motion Picture Studio, just north of Hwy 14
When: late Apr
Tel & website: 1-661 286 4021/www.cowboyfestival.org
Dig out your dude-ranch duds for this Western hoedown. Attractions include the Walk of Western Stars gala, horseback rides, a cowboy couture fashion show, a casino and plenty of cowboy comedy, poetry and chow. The festival is the only time that Gene Autry’s ranch opens to the public.

Fiesta Broadway/Cinco de Mayo

Where: around Broadway & Main Street, between E César E Chávez Avenue & 11th Street, Downtown
When: last Sun in Apr
Tel & website: 1-310 914 0015/www.fiestabroadway.la
Covering 36 square blocks and drawing crowds that top 500,000, this free fiesta lives up to its reputation as the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration in the world. The festival commemorates the day in 1862 when Mexicans defeated French invaders, and is a blowout of feasting, piñata-breaking, music and general indulgence.

Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival

Where: several venues in West Hollywood and Little Tokyo
When: May
Tel & website: 1-213 680 4462/http://festival.vconline.org
A variety of Asian and Asian American films.

Silver Lake Film Festival

Where: various venues from the Echo to the Egyptian Theatre
When: May
Website: www.silverlakefilmfestival.org
Hirsute hipsters populate this East Side event, which supplements independent films with art, music and partying.

Last Remaining Seats

Where: various venues
When: May/June
Tel & website: 1-213 623 2489/www.laconservancy.org
The LA Conservancy offers a wonderful time-machine trip by reopening Downtown’s grand old movie palaces for one-night-only screenings of classic films.

Summer

Film Independent’s Los Angeles Film Festival

Where: various Westwood venues
When: June
Tel & website: 1-866 345 6337/www.lafilmfest.com
With 200-plus features, shorts and music videos, this prestigious ten-day festival is cardio cinema.

Los Angeles River Ride

Where: around Los Angeles
When: June
Website: www.la-bike.org
This festive annual bike ride is the premier fundraiser for the LACBC (Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition) and offers five different bike rides of varying lengths.

Pasadena Chalk Street Painting Festival

Where: Old Town Pasadena
When: mid June
Tel & website: 1-626 795 9100/www.pasadenachalkfestival.com
Hundreds of artists create temporary masterpieces in chalk on the streets of Pasadena, while thousands of onlookers watch where they walk. Eventually, awards are presented in a number of different categories, and then it’s all washed away for good.

Independence Day

Where: across Los Angeles
When: 4 July
The Hollywood Bowl hosts LA’s most famous fireworks display, synchronised to music by the LA Philharmonic. However, celebrations aren’t limited to the Bowl: Huntington Beach stages a parade during the day, capped by fireworks, and there’s more patriotic razzle-dazzle at Venice Beach, the Rose Bowl and Disneyland. Note: many fireworks displays take place on the closest weekend to 4 July; check newspapers for schedules.

Outfest

Where: venues around LA
When: July
Tel & website: 1-213 480 7088/www.outfest.org
A ten-day festival of gay and lesbian film shorts and features, spread across ten venues.

Pageant of the Masters

Where: Broadway, Laguna Beach Pacific Coast Highway to Laguna Beach
When: early July-late Aug
Tel & website: 1-949 494 1145/www.foapom.com
Life imitates art, literally: classic paintings, statues and murals take on a new dimension, as real people dress and pose to re-create original masterpieces, a trick popularised by vaudeville artiste Lolita Perine at the first festival in 1932. A professional orchestra, a narrator, intricate sets and theatrical lighting now help bring the works to life.

Lotus Festival

Where: Echo Park, between Glendale Avenue & Echo Park Boulevard, Echo Park
When: 2nd wknd in July
Tel & website: 1-213 485 1310/www.lotusfestival.org
Held among the lotus blooms in Echo Park, this low-key festival celebrates the cultures of Asia and the Pacific islands. Highlights include a market, dragon boat races and martial arts demonstrations.

US Open of Surfing

Where: Huntington Beach Pier, at Main Street & Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, Orange County
When: July/start Aug
Website: www.usopenofsurfing.com
America’s largest pro surfing competition attracts the world’s elite, who compete for big money while wowing 200,000 beach boys and girls with their skill, grace and innovative board designs. Heating up the festivities are live bands, a sports expo and after-parties with the friendly locals.

International Pop Overthrow

Where: various venues around LA
When: late Jul/early Aug
Website: www.internationalpopoverthrow.com
A two-week festival of guitar pop that gets LA rocking.

Festival of the Chariots

Where: Ocean Front Walk, Windward Circle, Venice Beach Boardwalk, Venice
When: first Sun in Aug
Tel & website: 1-310 836 2676/www.festivalofchariots.com
Hosted by the Hare Krishnas, this Indian tradition attracts 50,000 people who chant and cheer for three honoured deities, representations of whom are paraded from the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium to Venice Beach on elaborately decorated chariots. A free Indian feast is held at the end of the route.

X Games

Where: Staples Center, 1111 Figueroa Street, at 11th Street, Downtown ; & Home Depot Center, 18400 Avalon Boulevard, Carson
When: early Aug
Website: www.expn.com
Competitors from around the world battle for both honour and treasure in extreme sports; thousands of adoring fans risk sunstroke to cheer them on.

Downtown Film Festival

Where: various venues
When: Aug
Tel & website: 1-213 221 7685/www.downtownfilmfestla.com
Launched in 2008 by the folks behind the Silver Lake Film Festival, the DFF aims to celebrate the resurgence of Downtown LA.

Nisei Week Japanese Festival

Where: Little Tokyo, Downtown
When: mid Aug
Tel & website: 1-213 687 7193/www.niseiweek.org
This eight-day event celebrates Japanese culture with displays of martial arts, tea ceremonies, flower arranging and more, and culminates with the coronation of the Nisei Week Queen. ‘Nisei’ refers to the first generation of Japanese to be born in America.

Watts Summer Festival

Where: African American Unity Center, 944 W 53rd Street, at S Vermont Avenue, Watts
When: mid Aug
Tel & website: 1-323 789 7304/www.wattsfestival.org
Conceived in 1966, the year after the Watts Riots, this black pride event is the longest-running African American cultural festival in the US. Besides music, the event includes various other performances, a fashion show, a parade and a child-oriented area.

Sunset Junction Street Fair

Where: 3900-4300 blocks of Sunset Boulevard & around, Silver Lake
When: late Aug
Tel & website: 1-323 661 7771/www.sunsetjunction.org
This historic annual street festival unites the diverse populations of hipsters and immigrants who live in Silver Lake. Despite the recent imposition of an entry fee, the festival’s cultural grab-bag of music, food and people-watching attracts more than 200,000 visitors.

LA African Marketplace & Cultural Faire

Where: Rancho Cienega Park, 5001 Rodeo Road, at W Martin Luther King Boulevard, Crenshaw
When: last 3 wknds in Aug
Tel & website: 1-323 293 1612/www.africanmarketplace.org
This much-loved festival blends traditional African and Afro-Caribbean sights, sounds and flavours with contemporary African American culture. To keep the children entertained and to trick them into learning, there are magicians, storytellers and a petting zoo. But there’s also good news for adults: the festival’s increasingly sophisticated programme features music, dance, sports and an outdoor film series.

Fuck Yeah Fest

Where: Echo & Echoplex, 1154 Glendale Boulevard, at W Sunset Boulevard, Echo Park
Where: late Aug
Website: www.fuckyeahfest.com
The enthusiastically named Fuck Yeah Fest rallies rowdy post-punkers, low-brow artists, anarchist skaters, caustic stand-ups and all manner of other virulently anti-establishment types for a weekend of indier-than-thou amp-busting fringe culture.

Autumn

Los Angeles International Short Film Festival

Where: various venues around LA
When: Sept
Tel & website: 1-323 461 4400/www.lashortsfest.com
The world’s largest shorts festival crams 400 entries into a typically dense programme.

Fiesta Hermosa Arts & Crafts Fair

Where: Hermosa Beach, at Hermosa & Pier Avenues
When: Labor Day wknd (early Sept)
Tel & website:1-310 376 0951/www.fiestahermosa.com
Wear a swimsuit under your clothes: after roaming the 250 stalls at this arts festival, sampling the fine foods and listening to the music, you may want to take a dip in the nearby ocean. There’s another Fiesta over Memorial Day weekend (late May).

LA Greek Festival

Where: St Sophia Cathedral, 1324 S Normandie Avenue, at W Pico Boulevard, Koreatown
When: wknd after Labor Day (early Sept)
Website: www.lagreekfest.com
LA isn’t known for its large Greek community, but there are enough locals with roots to the islands to merit this weekend-long festival of baklava, moussaka and mandolin music on the grounds of a cathedral in – naturally – Koreatown.

Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival

Where: Ports o’ Call Village, San Pedro
When: mid Sept
Tel & website: 1-310 798 7478/www.lobsterfest.com
Bizarre fact: although this weekend-long festival is held in the coastal town of San Pedro, all the lobsters eaten at it are flown in from Maine. There’s a fine line-up of bands curated by local rock station Indie 103.1, and Saturday’s troubling LobsterDog Parade, when locals dress their pet pooches as sea creatures.

LA County Fair

Where: Pomona County Fairplex, W McKinley & N White Avenues, Pomona
When: Sept-early Oct
Tel & website: 1-909 623 3111/www.lacountyfair.com
LA has changed immeasurably since 1921, when this event was first staged as an agricultural fair. However, the perennially popular event still has farm-friendly appeal (livestock beauty contests, locally farmed produce) alongside the more modern acrobats, wine tastings, exhibitions and concerts.

West Hollywood Book Fair

Where: West Hollywood Park, 647 N San Vicente Boulevard, between Santa Monica Boulevard & Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood
When: late Sept
Website: www.westhollywoodbookfair.org
Cruise the vendors at the nearby Pacific Design Center for the new bookshelves that you’ll probably need after a visit to the award-winning WeHo Book Fair. Readings, panel discussions, workshops are all among the IQ-elevating activities on the schedule.

Abbot Kinney Boulevard Festival

Where: Abbot Kinney Boulevard, between Main Street & Venice Boulevard, Venice
When: late Sept
Tel & website: 1-310 396 3772/www.abbotkinney.org
Take every artsy street fair you’ve ever attended, add all the stereotypes about the fun-loving Venice Beach locals you’ve ever heard, and you’ve got the general idea. Be sure to hit not only the guest vendors but also the locally owned galleries, shops and salons that line the world’s poshest skid row.

Artivist Film Festival

Where: Egyptian Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood
When: Oct
Tel & website: 1-310 712 1222/www.artivists.org
This festival offers a platform for activist artists.

Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival

Where: various venues
When: Oct
Website: www.latinofilm.org
Mexican and Latin American filmmakers come to Hollywood to promote their work.

Calabasas Pumpkin Festival

Where: Juan Bautista de Anza Park, 3701 Lost Hills Road, at Agoura Road, Calabasas
When: mid-late Oct
Tel & website: 1-818 222 5680/www.calabasaspumpkinfestival.com
Yes, there’s more to pumpkins than Halloween jack-o’-lanterns: pumpkin bowling, pumpkin beer, pumpkin bread and, of course, pumpkin pie. The festival is held in Paramount’s Western-themed studio in the Santa Monica mountains, the backdrop for such immortal TV shows as Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman.

Halloween

Where: Across Los Angeles
When: 31 Oct
The main action is at the West Hollywood Halloween Carnival, held on Santa Monica Boulevard between La Cienega Boulevard and Doheny Drive (www.weho.org). More than 400,000 rowdy revellers are entertained by DJs, bands, costume contests, drag queen competitions and the crowning of the celebrity Honorary Mayor.

AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival

Where: various venues
When: Nov
Tel & website: 1-866 234 3378/www.afifest.com
This ten-day festival shows some 130 films from 40 countries, along with special events.

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

Where: across Los Angeles. W
When: 1st Sat in Nov
Tel & web: 1-323 881 6444/www.selfhelpgraphics.com
Self-Help Graphics in East LA hosts art-oriented workshops and theatre performances, while the historic Downtown paseo of Olvera Street offers a day dancing and piñata-breaking. Meanwhile, the haunting romance of the cinematic Golden Age is celebrated with the elaborate art-altar competition at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Mariachi Festival

Where: Mariachi Plaza, at N Boyle Avenue & E 1st Street, Boyle Heights
When: mid Nov
Tel & website: 1-323 526 3059/www.lacity.org
Decked out in ruffled, rainbow-coloured splendour, the itinerant musicians at this festival of Latino culture entertain visitors in mariachi styles. Tequila, tacos and other spicy specialities add further appeal.

Winter

Hollywood Christmas Parade

Where: parade starts at Mann’s Chinese Theatre, travels east on Hollywood Boulevard, south on Van Ness Avenue, then east on Sunset Boulevard
When: Sun after Thanksgiving
Tel & website: 1-323 469 2337/www.hollywoodchristmas.com
The event that inspired Gene Autry to write ‘Here Comes Santa Claus’ is a glitzy, star-studded presentation that attracts a million fans. First held in 1928, the parade features elaborate floats, pop stars galore, celebs riding in antique cars, camels, equestrian shows and marching bands giving it the full razzle-dazzle. Even with reserved bleacher seats, early arrival is a must, and parking hideous.

Griffith Park Light Festival

Where: Griffith Park, Crystal Springs Drive, between Los Feliz Boulevard & the Ventura Freeway, Los Feliz
When: late Nov-late Dec
Tel & website: 1-323 913 4688/www.dwplightfestival.com
Brighten up your holiday season with a drive along this mile-long stretch of lights. High points include flamboyant depictions of Hollywood landmarks composed of electric bulbs. Weekend nights can be bumper to bumper; it might be best to park at the nearby LA Zoo and stroll the mile instead.

Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade

Where: main channel, Marina del Rey
When: mid Dec
Tel & website: 1-310 670 7130/www.mdrboatparade.org
It’s anchors aweigh at this watery festival, as more than 70 ornamented boats compete for attention and prizes. Watch proceedings from Fisherman’s Village or Burton Chace Park.

Hannukah Family Festival

Where: Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N Sepulveda Boulevard, at I-405, West LA
When: mid/late Dec
Tel & website: 1-310 440 4500/www.skirball.org
Enjoy the music, games, tastes and traditions that mark the Jewish festival of lights up at the Skirball Center. Anyone can participate in the Hanukkah play, complete with costumes and songs.

Las Posadas

Where: Olvera Street, at E César E Chávez Avenue, Downtown
Where: mid-late Dec
Tel & website: 1-213 4856855/www.olvera-street.com
This surprisingly cheerful re-enactment of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem features a candlelit procession, songs, dancing and piñata-breaking, with free candy for children and adults.

LA County Holiday Celebration

Where: Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Music Center Plaza, S Grand Avenue & W 1st Street, Downtown
When: 24 Dec
Website: www.lacountyarts.org/holiday.html
This day-long festival of art, music and general merriment aims to represent the range of cultural and religious traditions that have put down roots in LA. The event has a worthy commitment to inclusivity, but it’s also an entertaining way to spend the last few hours before Christmas.

Tournament of Roses Parade

Where: parade starts in Pasadena at S Orange Grove Boulevard & Ellis Street, travels east on Colorado Boulevard and north on Sierra Madre Boulevard, ends at Paloma Street
When: 1 Jan
Tel & website: 1-626 449 4100/www.tournamentofroses.com
The first Rose Parade in 1890 was staged to show off California’s sun-kissed climate. The tradition is still going strong, complete with elaborate floral floats, musical performances and marching troupes (not to mention the crowning of the fresh-faced Rose Queen and her court), but the celebration now draws more than a million spectators who line the streets of Pasadena. The big Rose Bowl football game follows the parade. Later in the month, the event is spoofed with a day of costumed mayhem at the Doo Dah Parade (1-626 205 4029, www.pasadenadoodahparade.info).

Chinese New Year

Where: parade travels along N Broadway, between E César E Chávez Avenue & Bernard Street, Downtown
When: early Feb
Tel & website: 1-213 617 0396/www.lagoldendragonparade.com
The spectacular Golden Dragon Parade through Chinatown is the highlight of this annual two-day street fair, which also includes a carnival, lantern processions, fashion shows, and plenty of food.

Brazilian Carnival

Where: Queen Mary, Queens Highway, Long Beach
When: early Feb
Website: www.braziliannites.com
If you can’t make it all the way to Rio, you’ll have to make do with this over-the-top explosion of feathers, sequins, production numbers and tan lines. It’s held each year at the vintage ocean liner that’s now permanently docked in Long Beach.

Pan African Film Festival

Where: MC Magic Johnson 15 Multiplex, 4020 Marlton Avenue, Crenshaw
When: Feb
Tel & website: 1-323 295 1706/www.paff.org
A slate of African and African American films, many addressing issues of cultural and racial tolerance.

Public holidays

New Year’s Day 1 Jan
Martin Luther King Jr Day 3rd Mon in Jan
Presidents Day 3rd Mon in Feb
Easter Sunday Mar/Apr
Memorial Day last Mon in May
Independence Day 4 July
Labor Day 1st Mon in Sept
Columbus Day 2nd Mon in Oct
Veterans' Day 2nd Mon in Nov
Thanksgiving 4th Thur in Nov
Christmas Day 25 Dec

Our Listings

While every effort and care has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this guide, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors it may contain. Before you go out of your way, we strongly advise you to phone ahead and check the particulars.